"In a study of readers who read either a simulated literary hypertext or the same text in linear form, we found a range of significant differences: these suggest that hypertext discourages the absorbed and reflective mode that characterizes literary reading." (Miall and Dobson) --Reading Hypertext and the Experience of LiteratureJournal of Digital Information)
How can students grasp cultural experiences unknown to them?
By reaching out and experiencing cultures unknown to them. Yes, my answer is a tautology, but that's the only way we every learn anything. "How can students see paintings unknown to them?" "How can students read books unknown to them?" "How can students have conversation with people unknown to them?" When you start putting specifics in place of "cultural experiences," your question isn't too hard to answer.